Storage Technology

Timmer GmbH from Neuenkirchen has developed the "timbaseLIFT," a mobile vacuum lifting system that does not require heavy counterweights. Instead, the device uses an active vacuum anchoring on the hall floor. As a result, the weight of the base plate is reduced by about two-thirds compared to conventional mobile cranes with concrete bases. The system is designed for the ergonomic handling of loads up to 85 kilograms and can be used in production and logistics halls without structural modifications.

Both companies are working on a technology that allows robots to take into account the course of complex work processes. In the future, companies should be able to use the new models for their own applications via Neuraverse.

ABB Robotics has expanded its "Fashion Inductor" functional package for automated sorting and singulation in fashion and apparel logistics with the "AI Robot Trainer." The new solution combines camera-based artificial intelligence with automatic path planning and functions for retraining image processing models. This is intended to reduce the development and commissioning effort for corresponding robot applications by up to 75 percent. The technology is particularly aimed at facilitating system integrators in implementing and adapting automated logistics processes.

Nicht jeder Lagerbetreiber kann oder will seine gesamte Anlage auf einmal automatisieren. Die beiden Unternehmen bieten mit dem UP-Carrier GTJ einen stufenweisen Ansatz für Bestandslager, der vorhandene Infrastruktur weiter nutzt.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation has, on behalf of Jungheinrich Profishop and the exoskeleton manufacturer Hunic, investigated the ergonomic effects of an exoskeleton during lifting operations. In measurements conducted under practical industrial working conditions, the utilized exoskeleton "Hunic Softexo Lift" reduced the activity of individual back muscles by up to 41.5 percent. At the same time, the researchers documented less spinal curvature and reduced torso rotational movements under load. The study, presented in October 2026, thus provides measurement data on the mechanical support of physically demanding tasks in logistics.  

Dr.-Ing. Timo Lehmann has received the Logistics Science Award 2026 from the German Logistics Association. The jury honored the scientist on October 21 at the BVL Supply Chain CX in Estrel Berlin for his dissertation on the performance evaluation of multi-deep automated storage systems. In it, Lehmann develops analytical models that allow the estimation of the throughput capacity of different system configurations and operational strategies.

Schmalz has introduced the "GSP" intelligent vacuum pump, a fully electric vacuum generator designed for mobile robotics applications and intralogistics handling processes. The ready-to-connect pump operates with a supply voltage of 24 volts and achieves a suction capacity of 50 to 150 liters per minute. Thanks to demand-oriented power regulation and automatic leakage detection, energy consumption can be reduced by up to 90 percent compared to conventional electric vacuum generators. Since the pump operates without a compressed air supply, it is particularly suitable for decentralized automation solutions and retrofitting existing systems, according to the manufacturer.

Picking, transporting goods, and supplying packing stations: A company in Gütersloh wants to implement humanoid robotics on a larger scale. To do this, it is turning to a marketplace with 95 models from 35 manufacturers.

The Dutch robotics specialist Smart Robotics and the special machine builder Opitz Packaging Systems from Northeim have agreed on a strategic partnership. The plan is to combine expertise in the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, and packaging technology. Initially, the focus is on robot-assisted palletizing and end-of-line processes. In the long term, the collaboration is also to be extended to automated single-item picking.

With integrated automation solutions at two locations, the fastening specialist aims to improve its inventory management and order processing. The systems take over storage, picking, and subsequent shipping processes.

What began in 2003 at the Stuttgart Killesberg now spans over ten exhibition halls. A look back at the technologies that have shaped the trade fair's growth and the development of its international significance.

The intralogistics provider Syncore GmbH from Offenau has introduced a new online calculator for evaluating automation potentials in order picking. With the "Autostore Productivity Calculator," e-commerce companies and contract logistics service providers can compare the performance of their existing picking processes with a sample automated Autostore scenario.

23 qualifying tournaments, new obstacles, and three days of competition: In Aschaffenburg, it will be decided who wins the world championship titles in forklift driving. The defending champions from Germany are also back in the competition.

The Edeka Nordfrische Center in Lüttow-Valluhn has expanded its existing automation solution with two AI-supported picking robots in collaboration with the intralogistics provider Knapp. The "Pick-it-Easy Robot" systems take over the fully automated piece picking of various meat and sausage products and, according to the manufacturer, achieve around 450 picking actions per hour each. With the additional robotics, Edeka aims to increase productivity and process reliability, relieve employees from physically demanding tasks, and enable round-the-clock picking if needed.

The INC Innovation Center plans to open the "Future Robotics Exploration Hub" in Stuttgart in January 2027, in collaboration with industrial companies. The proposed facility is intended to enable manufacturing companies to test, compare, and validate mobile and humanoid robotic systems as well as physical artificial intelligence (Physical AI) technologies using real industrial tasks. The project was presented on October 6, 2026, at the Future Robotics Summit in Stuttgart.

For the production ramp-up of the D328eco, the aircraft manufacturer relies on integrated intralogistics from Jungheinrich. More than 6,500 containers and 624 pallet spaces form the basis of material supply.

The American wholesaler First Supply has drawn an initial conclusion just over a year after commissioning the automated "Skypod" system from Exotec. According to the automation provider, order picking in the new distribution center is ten times faster than the previously used manual processes. At the same time, the possible storage capacity has quadrupled on the same area. As a result, First Supply can deliver orders placed by 5 p.m. by the following morning.

Paul Vahle GmbH & Co. KG from Kamen has introduced a new generation of its optical positioning system for automated intralogistics and conveyor technology applications with "Apos Optic 2.0". Thanks to revised camera technology with an enlarged field of view, the system now requires only one camera instead of two for position detection. As a result, the readhead is narrower. Additionally, the new generation is backward compatible with existing "Apos Optic" systems, allowing for their gradual modernization.

On October 1, 2026, Martina Gartner joined the management of Schmalz. With her extensive experience in corporate management, controlling, and organizational development, she is expected to contribute to the strategic advancement of the industrial company's commercial sector.

The frequency converter can take over drive-related control tasks and operate on individual machines without a higher-level control system. Users can choose between four industrial Ethernet protocols.

With three integrated functions, the radar sensor detects movements in defined areas. Users can use it, among other things, to monitor hard-to-see zones and detect the clearance of areas.

The Finnish food retailer Kesko is relying on Knapp for the automation of its new logistics center in Nurmijärvi, Finland. According to the provider, the installation of the automation solution is scheduled for 2028. The phased commissioning is planned for 2029 and 2030. With the project, Kesko aims to expand the capacity and flexibility of its logistics in the long term.

With M2X, a public draft for an open specification for communication between mobile robots and infrastructure components is available for the first time. Companies, manufacturers, and integrators can use the specification for their own developments and test it in existing projects. Public commentary is also intended. M2X, short for Machine to X, was developed by the Chair of Materials Handling and Warehousing at the Technical University of Dortmund and the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML.

From the "RoboShuttle Hyper" to an automated picking station to the humanoid robot: The provider combines several technologies at one location.

Schmalz presents two solutions for manual handling at the Arbeitsschutz Aktuell in Stuttgart (October 20 to 22, Hall 1, Stand J1.001): the torso-bending exoskeleton "Nexo Pro" and the battery-powered suction lifter "Gripster max". Both solutions relieve employees when lifting and carrying.

The Spanish furniture and home decor provider Kave is having its new Fulfillment Center in Tordera near Barcelona automated by TGW Logistics. According to the intralogistics provider, the commissioning of the distribution center is scheduled for late 2028. The facility is intended to handle goods flows for e-commerce, retail, and business customers and is designed for up to 21,000 packages per day.

Knapp automates pallet handling at the Cummins production site in Lindesberg, Sweden. 15 autonomous mobile robots of the type "Open Shuttle Fork" handle up to 2,000 transport orders daily. The system also includes a pallet high-bay warehouse, an automated small parts warehouse, and software for warehouse management, material flow, and fleet control.

Stein Automation GmbH & Co. KG has had its intelligent shuttle system “Stein link” classified for cleanrooms up to ISO Class 5. This makes the system suitable for production environments with the highest demands on cleanliness and low particle concentration, opening up new applications in medical technology, the pharmaceutical industry, as well as in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.

The company motto of the Pietsch Group, headquartered in Ahaus in the Münsterland region, is "Grow or Go," or WOW for short. To live up to this guiding principle, the wholesaler for sanitary, heating, environment, climate, and ventilation has opted for an Autostore warehouse and the warehouse management system "Prostore".

With the construction of a new automated cold storage facility, Rügen C&C Warenhandels GmbH is making a clear statement for a more reliable and efficient supply to the local gastronomy at its Parchtitz location on the island of Rügen. In the future, a two-aisle automatic cold storage with 11,000 trays, including modern sequencing workstations, is set to ensure fast, error-free, and precise delivery to customers. The company has already relied on the expertise of intralogistics specialist Klinkhammer for logistics planning.

RK Rose+Krieger adapts tube connectors through machining to meet the requirements of a trolley construction. The solution is designed for loads weighing up to 30 kilograms.

The company Skechers is investing in a new highly automated European distribution center in Liège, Belgium. For the intralogistics of the new facility, the global lifestyle and performance brand relies on Knapp as a technology partner. The logistics center will be gradually put into operation, with the final go-live scheduled for mid-2030. From the end of 2028, the facility designed for growth is expected to supply the European market from a single location.

The company Hörmann Intralogistics completed and handed over a two-aisle high-bay warehouse for Dunapack Packaging Straßwalchen as scheduled on June 15, 2026. The automatic corrugated cardboard format goods warehouse is fully operational.

The Yonex GmbH is automating its logistics at the Willich location and is relying on technology from the automation provider Advasolutions. The sports equipment manufacturer awarded the contract for this in August 2026. In the future, up to 41 "Advashuttles" on up to 1,922 meters of shelving will take over storage and order picking, connected to up to three picking stations and one storage station. The installation begins in April 2027, with the go-live planned for August 2027. The conversion will be carried out during ongoing operations: goods receipt and shipping will continue during this time.

No battery and no external power supply: The "Nexo Pro" uses a mechanical spring system to assist with bending and lifting movements and is designed, among other things, for warehouse logistics and order picking.

From October 14 to 15, Heitec AG intends to present its offerings for retrofit and modernization of existing facilities at Maintenance 2026 in Munich. In addition to the modernization of hardware and software, key topics include safety evaluation of plant modifications, cybersecurity requirements, and virtual models for pre-commissioning tests. The offering is aimed, among others, at companies in mechanical and plant engineering, special machinery construction, and intralogistics.

With its efficient logistics, Printus delivers orders from a range of over 100,000 office items within 24 hours. To further expand this key competence in a dynamic market environment, the company is investing in the Offenburg location. As part of an investment of more than 200 million euros in the new central logistics center, Printus is creating around 53,000 square meters of additional logistics space and modernizing essential parts of the existing facility.

Stone wool is a sought-after insulation material in the flat roof sector. However, processing the material presents a challenge: the panels are heavy and unwieldy. They can only be moved with considerable effort. Vogelsang GmbH & Co. KG from Sendenhorst-Albersloh has therefore introduced a custom lifting solution from Timmer for placing stone wool panels on a CNC cutting machine. Since August 2025, the "Heavylift" tube lifter has been assisting employees in placing and, depending on the cut, also in removing the finished panels.

Contrinex combines several measurement functions for spindle monitoring in one device. In addition to a measuring range of up to 20 millimeters, the sensor offers programmable switching points.

Datasensing, the business unit for sensors, machine safety, and machine vision of Datalogic, has introduced the safety laser scanner "SLS10". According to the company, the device features a large safety area, short response times, and high angular resolution. The scanner is intended to contribute to the safety of machines and plants while reducing operating costs.

Many companies in the food wholesale industry are increasingly facing fluctuating market situations, delivery issues, and growing crop failures. These challenges are business-critical for precise and efficient disposition and demand new processes. Neurauter Frisch GmbH is taking exactly this path: The family business is strategically realigning its disposition, procurement, and warehousing to meet the increasing demands. By introducing Remira's sales forecasting and inventory management software, Neurauter Frisch lays the foundation for more efficiency, better availability, and the use of AI-supported forecasts – and thus demonstrates how digital transformation can look in the food wholesale industry.

The Baden-Württemberg-based specialist for standard parts, Ganter, is consistently advancing its highly automated intralogistics to meet its customers' demands for reliability and short delivery times. For almost three decades, the family business has relied on the expertise and experience of TGW Logistics: What began with a tray warehouse in 1999 has evolved over the years into a strategic partnership—based on trust and a shared understanding of sustainable growth.

Automated small parts warehouse, narrow aisle technology, and six picking stations are set to restructure intralogistics at the Wilhelmshaven site.

The wholesaler J. W. Zander GmbH & Co. KG Freiburg commissions Element Logic to implement a comprehensive automation solution at its location. The scope of delivery includes an AutoStore system with conveyor technology and integrated packaging technology.

Compact warehouses are increasingly becoming the standard in mail order. However, the high storage density often proves to be a sub-optimization: Bottlenecks are merely shifted if interconnected processes and thus the entire system suffer as a result.

Digital intralogistics solutions can help increase transparency, efficiency, and automation along warehouse logistics processes. The company Bito-Lagertechnik offers solutions that connect different areas of intralogistics – from shelving and containers to in-house transport. Processes such as demand requests, storage, picking, goods transport, and manufacturing operations can thus be digitally supported and partially automated.

Neura Robotics takes over the "Active Shuttle" driverless transport system from Bosch Rexroth effective October 1, 2026. This addition complements the portfolio of Neura Mobile Robots GmbH. According to Neura Robotics, the acquisition is also part of the development of a comprehensive European ecosystem for Physical AI. Within the Neura Group, Neura Mobile Robots consolidates expertise in autonomous intralogistics and driverless transport systems.

Korrodin GmbH & Co. KG is investing in the expansion of its logistics and is building a new distribution center in Altdorf near Nuremberg. The centerpiece of the facility is a three-aisle automated small parts warehouse with ten workstations, which is being implemented by Klinkhammer Intralogistics. With the new construction, the certified wholesaler for high-quality screws and fastening technology is responding to the continuously growing range of products and increasing demands for efficiency, deliverability, and process quality.

Geekplus has introduced a new tote-to-person solution called "Roboshuttle Hyper" for automated container handling. According to the company, the system, featuring climbing autonomous mobile robots, can handle up to 6,000 containers per hour per 1,000 square meters. The technology is intended for B2C e-commerce, fresh goods and cold chain logistics, consolidation warehouses, and micro-fulfillment centers.

Hengstler combines redundant signal transmission with diagnostic functions in three series of absolute encoders. One model is also designed for motor speeds up to 12,000 revolutions per minute.